or


[12/21/04 - 12:00 AM]
Showtime Sends 'Dead Like Me' to Afterlife
By Brian Ford Sullivan (TFC)

LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- Showtime has pulled the plug on its sophomore drama "Dead Like Me" after two seasons. In addition, the pay channel is set to move forward with its small screen take on "Barbershop."

Both moves were confirmed by network representatives today.

No reason was given for the decision to axe "Dead Like Me," although industry insiders speculate Showtime topper Robert Greenblatt wants to clear some of his programming budget for newer projects. Production on three new drama pilots - "Brotherhood," "The Cell" and "Hate" - was completed earlier this year, with at least one expected to get a series order next year.

Ratings may have also been a factor in the decision as the show's second season finale was seen by 622,000 viewers, down 22% from its June 2003 debut (797,000 viewers). The series nevertheless topped the much-hyped premiere to "Huff" last month, which scored a meager 456,000 viewers. Week two of the Hank Azaria-led drama, which was given a second season order before it ever premiered, fared even worse with 297,000 viewers tuning in (a 35% decline).

MGM Television, the studio behind "Dead Like Me," nevertheless got some good news as well today as Showtime is understood to have ordered at least 10 episodes of a TV version of "Barbershop."

John Ridley ("Undercover Brother") is spearheading the project along with George Tillman Jr. and Robert Teitel, the executive producers of the "Barbershop" features. No details however were given about the project, such as whether any of the big screen actors will reprise their roles.

Meanwhile in other Showtime-related news, the network confirmed its Kirstie Alley-led comedy "Fat Actress" will bow on Monday, March 7 while its telefilms "Reefer Madness" and "Our Fathers" will debut in April and May respectively.





  [december 2004]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
   


· BARBERSHOP (SHOWTIME)
· BROTHERHOOD (SHOWTIME)
· DEAD LIKE ME (SHOWTIME)
· FAT ACTRESS (SHOWTIME)
· HATE (SHOWTIME)
· HUFF (SHOWTIME)
· OUR FATHERS (SHOWTIME)
· REEFER MADNESS (SHOWTIME)
· SLEEPER CELL (SHOWTIME)





[11/22/24 - 01:31 PM]
Video: "Suits LA" Arrives February 2025 - NBC
The all-new spinoff of the beloved legal drama, starring Stephen Amell, Lex Scott Davis, Josh McDermitt, and Bryan Greenberg, lands on the West Coast.

[11/22/24 - 12:11 PM]
Video: Peacock Releases First Look at the Third Season of Emmy Award-Winning Reality Competition Series "The Traitors" Returning January 9 with Alan Cumming as Host
Last season, "The Traitors" became the #1 unscripted series in the U.S. across all streaming platforms during launch week, according to Nielsen.

[11/22/24 - 10:15 AM]
Apple's Drama "Your Friends & Neighbors" Lands Early Season Two Renewal
Starring and executive produced by Emmy Award winner Jon Hamm, "Your Friends & Neighbors" will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, April 11 with two episodes, followed by one new episode weekly through Friday, May 30.

[11/22/24 - 09:01 AM]
Apple Original Films' "Fly Me to the Moon" to Premiere December 6, 2024
Since its debut in theaters worldwide, the film has received the Verified Hot certification on Rotten Tomatoes by fans.

[11/22/24 - 08:03 AM]
Peacock Exclusively Streams Blumhouse's "Speak No Evil" Beginning December 6
The psychological horror thriller stars James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West Lefler, Dan Hough, Scoot McNairy, and more!

[11/22/24 - 07:35 AM]
2024 "Emirates NBA Cup" Championship Game Exclusively on ABC and ESPN+ December 17
In addition, ESPN platforms will exclusively present a semifinal game and a quarterfinal game as part of its 2024 Emirates NBA Cup Knockout Round coverage.

[11/22/24 - 07:12 AM]
Peacock and Sky's Original Hit Drama Series "The Day of the Jackal" Scores Second Season Renewal
In the US it ranked #1 on Peacock's Top 10 TV Shows on its platform and was a Top 5 streaming original in the US for its opening weekend (according to preliminary Nielsen data).

[11/22/24 - 06:31 AM]
Video: "Chef's Table" Volume 7 - Official Teaser - Netflix
Meet five world-class chefs who redefine culinary boundaries with delicious, innovative dishes honoring their diverse cultures and personal philosophies.

[11/22/24 - 05:41 AM]
"They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce" Set for January 2025 on ESPN
Airing on Friday nights/early Saturday mornings, the new personality-driven, one-hour program will take its inspiration from traditional late-night television, emphasizing a comedic approach throughout all five scheduled episodes which run in conjunction with the finale of the NFL regular season and playoffs.

[11/22/24 - 03:01 AM]
Video: "Ad Vitam" - Official Trailer - Netflix
After escaping an attempted murder, Franck Lazarev (Guillaume Canet) must find his wife Léo, who has been kidnapped by a mysterious group of armed men.

[11/21/24 - 04:01 PM]
"Rugged Rugby: Conquer or Die" Premieres December 10: A Battle for Supremacy Begins
In the shadows of Korea's rugby world, seven teams engage in a fierce battle of strength, strategy, and teamwork - all vying to be crowned champion.

[11/21/24 - 04:00 PM]
ABC Presents a Two-Night Special Event To Commemorate the Diamond Anniversary of "Mary Poppins"
First, "The Untold Story of Mary Poppins: A Special Edition of 20/20," a two-hour special from ABC News Studios chock full of rarely seen footage, photos and stories from the film's living legends, airs Wednesday, November 27 on ABC and streams next day on Hulu and Disney+.

[11/21/24 - 01:32 PM]
2024 International Emmy Nominees on Hulu
Check out these Emmy-worthy international series streaming on Hulu.

[11/21/24 - 01:12 PM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Semifinals Is Top Program of the Night in Adults 18-49 and All Key Women Demographics
The spectacular season 33 penultimate episode grew over the previous week's 500th episode celebration in both Total Viewers (5.19 million vs. 5.13 million) and Adults 18-49 (0.75 rating vs. 0.71 rating), hitting a season high in Total Viewers.

[11/21/24 - 01:05 PM]
NBC Orders Five Additional Episodes of Its Friday Night Comedy Hit "Happy's Place"
The "Happy's Place" premiere has hit 14 million viewers across all platforms.